What are the world's deadliest animals? When travelling abroad, you sometimes hear people discussing dangerous animals such as snakes, crocodiles and jellyfish. But are they really the most dangerous animals in the world?
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What are the world's most dangerous animals?
The most dangerous animals in the world depend on how you define 'dangerous', but if you count the number of people who die each year from different animals - the mosquito is the most dangerous animal, and therefore the deadliest animal in the world!
Mosquitoes kill 725 000 people per year, mainly via malaria. The next most dangerous are other humans (killing 475 000 people/year), followed by snakes (50 000/year) and dogs (25 000/year via rabies).
List of the world's deadliest animals
Here we list the world's deadliest animals, based on how many people they kill per year. Figures and facts have been taken from an article at gatesnotes.com, The blog of Bill Gates.
1. Mosquito - the world's deadliest animal
The most dangerous animal in the world in terms of deaths is the mosquito. Mosquitoes kill 725 000 people per year by spreading various dangerous diseases. The most common cause of death is malaria, but mosquitoes also spread other dangerous diseases such as dengue fever and yellow fever.
2. human
The second most dangerous animal in the world is humans. Humans kill about 425,000 people per year.
3. Worm
The third most dangerous animal is the snake. Around 50 000 people in the world die because of snakes every year. This includes all kinds of snakes, and there are plenty of poisonous snakes such as the rattlesnake, cobra, black mamba, taipan and brown snake.
4. Dog
In third place is our beloved pet, the dog, and this is due to rabies. Dogs kill 25 000 people per year.
5. tsetse fly
A total of 10 000 people die each year due to infection by the tsetse fly, making it one of the world's deadliest animals. The disease spread by the fly is called African sleeping sickness, and the patient usually dies about three years after infection.
6. Predatory skin beetles
In sixth place are assassin bugs, which kill by spreading the disease chagas. These animals kill about 10 000 people per year.
7. freshwater snail
There is a freshwater snail that spreads the disease bilharzia, which kills around 10,000 people a year.
8. Roundworm
The roundworm kills around 2,500 people every year around the world.
9. tapeworm
In 9th place comes another worm, which kills around 2000 people a year.
10. crocodile
A terrifying animal like the crocodile only comes in at number 10 on this list of the world's deadliest animals. Large crocodiles can see humans as prey and are very dangerous. The reason more people don't die is that humans usually avoid close contact with crocodiles. Crocodiles kill around 1000 people per year.
11. hippopotamus
The hippo has a reputation for being dangerous, and this is partly true. Hippos kill around 500 people a year.
12. elephant
Elephants can attack when they feel threatened, and given their size and strength, they become dangerous. Around 100 people are killed by elephants every year.
13. lion
Lions are perhaps one of the most terrifying animals of all. Around 100 people fall victim to lions every year.
14. Varg
Wolves can be dangerous, but no more than 10 people a year are killed by wolves.
15. Haj
Being killed by a shark is as rare as being killed by a wolf. Around 10 people per year are killed in a shark attack.
Conclusion: The world's most dangerous animal
It is of course difficult to determine which is the most dangerous animal in the world, and it depends on the definition. How many people are killed by different animals is also related to the risk of encountering one or the other. Encountering mosquitoes or humans is much more common than encountering hippos, at least in my life.
Conclusion: the world's deadliest animal
The most deadly animals in the world are neither crocodiles nor sharks, so maybe you should rethink your risk thinking a bit... If the world's deadliest animals are mosquitoes and humans, then maybe these are the ones you should protect yourself from in different ways while travelling.
Protecting yourself from the world's deadliest animal
- Protect yourself from mosquitoes: Using mosquito repellent, wearing opaque clothing, sleeping with a mosquito net and taking malaria prophylaxis if necessary.
- Protect themselves from people: Read up on the destination and find out if there are areas you shouldn't go to, take a taxi at night if you feel unsafe, etc.
Do you worry about any animals when you are travelling? How do you think about protecting yourself from the world's most dangerous animals?
Which of the world's deadliest animals have you encountered?
In the wild we have met mosquitoes, humans, dogs, snakes (though not the most dangerous ones!), dogs and elephants. When it comes to critters, it's hard to know... We've seen crocodiles from a safe distance in a crocodile sanctuary. crocodile park.
Who are Sweden's most dangerous animals?
Sweden is not exactly known for dangerous animals and people rarely die at animal encounters in Sweden, but it does happen. According to several sources, the wasp can be considered the most dangerous animal in Sweden as a few people die from wasp stings every year. However, if you are not allergic, there is no need to worry.
Other animals that may pose a danger are moose, ticks, vipers, wolves and bears. People are also sometimes injured by dogs and horses.
Alexandra says:
Yes, I am terrified of all kinds of bugs! Almost everything that jumps and flies I am afraid of. I am not afraid that they are deadly, I am afraid that they are disgusting! For example, beetles here in Sweden are not dangerous but I am still afraid of them. I am also afraid of jellyfish, both dangerous and harmless.
01 May 2014 - 22:26
Alexandra says:
By the way.... quite unlikely that 500 per year die from hippos!
01 May 2014 - 22:29
Ditte says:
Snakes, poisonous ones, I have encountered in Thailand and I don't like them. But dogs, wild ones, I am afraid of. Mosquitoes and some insects I find unpleasant. Had dengue fever caused by mosquitoes and it was unpleasant. I am also afraid of jellyfish... But I would not refrain from travelling because of these. However, try to avoid the "dangers".
01 May 2014 - 22:39
BP says:
Yes - snakes. I am terrified of them. I'm also afraid of dogs and get hysterical at the sight of bugs, but snakes probably take the prize.
01 May 2014 - 23:06
admin says:
Alexandra, a little unexpected with the hippos actually... There is much more talk about shark attacks than hippo attacks, so to speak!
Ditte, you know that you have to be careful with mosquitoes. There has been a lot of talk about cube jellyfish, but they are not on the list at all...
BP, I also find snakes very unpleasant! Worst if they are poisonous of course, but I don't like harmless snakes either...
02 May 2014 - 6:46
Nadine says:
I think snakes, sharks and spiders are scary.
When I was in Australia with my dad (he's a diver) we were going to look at white sharks in the water and I touched the white shark and it bit me, luckily I survived and am not in pain today but I have marks and bruises on my hand.
13 February 2022 - 13:24
Mr Carl Härdener says:
Hi I think all animals are nasty in hot countries
02 April 2022 - 8:16
Ella says:
Oj
❤️🫶🏻🤌
28 October 2023 - 13:26